Milkweed, a gentle York County native plant that attracts butterflies, played an important wartime role

Milkweed is a native York County plant. Its deep roots made it readily available in World War II. Many people alive today remembering picking milk weed pods in that war, often as part of their school day. They were used for many thing, including forming the stuffing in life jackets that gave them buoyancy – and saved many a fighting man’s life. Perhaps the grandfather of this milkweed plant – in a native plant garden in York City – provided pods for America in World War II. Today, milkweed plants fulfill an important purpose. They attract monarch butterflies. Also of interest: What became of this stately weeping willow tree?

Neat stuff from all over … .

Roy Flinchbaugh is a longtime correspondent, always with some interesting words to impart.

“By the way, some articles on Gen. Jacob Devers would be helpful, especially to all those people who insist on pronouncing the name of my street as “Deevers” Road.”

Bill Schmeer is another longtime, trust correspondent. He pointed to this wonderful photo of an old Yankee and Rebel.

Budding historian: Elizabeth Motich of Dillsburg has a dream job this summer. She’s an intern in Gettysburg. But she earned that spot. Among other things, she wrote a novel when she was 12 about Confederate Gen. Jeb Stuart’s cavalry raid of Dillsburg. Read about her reflections about Gettysburg 150.

Ah Gino’s: That eatery that pleased the hamburger and fries crowd around York 30 years ago? One of its closest restaurants to Gino-less York County recently closed, the Gino’s in King of Prussia.

I ran across this the other day, in time for an anniversary. The flipsidepa.com story behind those Creativity Unleashed art sculptures that started appearing on York’s streets a year ago: More heavy metal coming … .

About Jim McClure

Editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News, ydr.com and its many digital products. East Region Editor, Digital First Media. Journalism/history blogger: yorktownsquare.com. Author or co-author of seven York County, Pa., history books.

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About York Town Square

Welcome to York Town Square, 9 years of daily posts about journalism and history, topics that can easily become plodding and self important. My goal is to keep this blog fun and accessible. And I try to say something in each post. I welcome your comments and respond to every one you write. Please contact me at jem@ydr.com.